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Comparing Elementary And Middle School Classrooms: Teachers Make The Difference, Emma Savage-Davis, Richard H. Costner, Nancy J. Ratcliff, Cathy R. Jones, Heather Sheehan, Michelle Scott, Gilbert H. Hunt

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper investigates the differences found n elementary grade classrooms compared to middle grade classrooms. Based on a comparative research design with quantitative analysis conducted over three consecutive academic semesters, the study found that individual teaching skills had far greater impact on classroom climate than grade level had. Research findings provide implications for effective teaching and learning across the curriculum.

The Decision To Teach: Comparing Mongolian And South Carolinian Teacher Candidates, Lynne S. Noble, D. Odgerel

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The authors had a unique opportunity to survey students in South Carolina and Mongolia regarding their motivation to become teachers and the characteristics they believed they possessed that would ensure their success as very good teachers. The realities of teacher education and teaching careers in the two localities were assumed to presage differences in motivation and perceived characteristics. However, more similarities than differences were apparent in the students' answers. The few disparities can be attributed to explicit differences in culture and tradition, not necessarily the differences in training and teaching environments.

Early College High School Initiatives: Reflections From A South Carolina Program, Howard V. Coleman, Jeremy Dickerson, Fred Crawford

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper presents information on an early college high school initiative (ECHI) program at Greenville Technical Charter High School (GTCHS) in Greenville, South Carolina and reflects on connections to teacher and school leader preparation programs. Over a three-year period, site visits, survey reviews, state report cards and grant assessment reports were used to analyze GTCHS' early college curriculum, student achievement in high school and college coursework. The data and findings revealed that GTCHS can be viewed as having a high amount of success in many areas, including academic achievement, moving students into collegiate-level work and preparing students for success in …

Full Issue: Volume 4, 2011, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

The Living Lab: Instructional Design Interventions To Improve Communication And Equity In Federal Housing Programs, Joana I. Camp

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

The Living Lab is an independent applied research project informed by my 25 years of lived experience as a Section 8 voucher holder, examining how instructional design strategies can improve administrative workflows, communication, and equitable access within the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Drawing on sustained participation, the research identifies two primary systemic barriers: the federally mandated 15-day inspection period and incomplete Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packets. To address these issues, the project developed the RFTA Roadmap—a zero-cost, clarity-driven communication tool that embeds sequential instructions directly within procedural workflows, mitigating the Split-Attention Effect and cognitive “Bandwidth Tax” associated with standard …

Beyond The Survey: Performance Assessments For Higher-Order Sustainability Literacy In Higher Education, Gregory Vincent Massara, Courtney B. Ryan, Mary Ellen Mallia

Educational Policy & Leadership Other Graduate Student Scholarship

Purpose This study explores how a performance-based assessment measures students’ higher-order sustainability competencies in ways that multiple-choice or scaled-survey tools, common ways to assess sustainability literacy, may not.

Design/Methodology/Approach This exploratory case study created a performance task for a first-year honors writing and critical inquiry course. Students (n=9) analyzed a scenario across environmental, social, and economic domains. A rubric measured students’ abilities to address all three domains and articulate a feasible and balanced solution supported by credible evidence.

Findings Students demonstrated proficiency in defining the three sustainability domains but tended to struggle to balance them. Choosing scenarios in familiar local …

Parents Engaging In Early Literacy (Peel): Outcomes From A Shared Reading Program Implemented Via Text Messaging, Victoria Henbest, Brenda L. Beverly, Gina M. Mejia

Victoria S. Henbest Publications

Purpose: Investigators delivered an asynchronous parent education for improving early literacy skills of typically developing preschoolers. The home-based shared-book reading program, PEEL, consisted of strategies modeled via videos and sent as text messages.

Method: Twenty parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to one of two 8-week programs targeting evidence-based early literacy strategies. One parent group was taught strategies to support print-related knowledge for learning to read, and the other learned skills to promote vocabulary and story knowledge underlying comprehension.

Results: The asynchronous parent education resulted in more frequent parental use of taught strategies compared to non-taught strategies during …

“I’M So Hungry”: Assessing Stem Sensemaking Through Data-Informed Writing, Bailey Nafziger, Alesia Mickle Moldavan, Katie Brkich

Elementary & Special Education: Faculty Publications

To engage elementary learners in the complex task of STEM sensemaking, teachers must entice and inspire learners to ask questions, explore, and communicate their findings. This article shares a 5E/3D lesson designed and taught in our elementary science methods courses to model how preservice teachers can integrate literacy and mathematics into a science investigation for STEM sensemaking. We modified a traditional lesson on bird beak adaptations to have a differentiated, interdisciplinary writing component justified by data. We discuss why data-supported literacy is a non-negotiable in science education reforms and how teachers can differentiate tasks to make scientific writing more approachable …

From Recruitment To Retention: An Administrator Resource Toolkit For Supporting Industry-To-Classroom Cte Teachers, Lisa M. Rudzinski

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Lisa M. Rudzinski Salvisa on March 24, 2026.

Endowed With Intelligence From On High: Scriptural Patterns Of Divinely Augmented Knowing, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Learning, Teaching, & Researching Optimization

The four standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contain numerous accounts in which individuals exhibit intellectual capacities — of perception, reasoning, problem-solving, and articulation — that demonstrably exceed their natural endowments and circumstances. This essay identifies twenty such accounts, organizes them into five conceptual typologies, and draws from each typology a set of concrete, actionable proposals for faculty at Brigham Young University who seek to integrate divine assistance into their scholarly and pedagogical work. The central argument is that the patterns encoded in Latter-day Saint scripture constitute not merely historical records of miraculous intervention but …

Teachers' Perspectives On The Inclusion Of Children With Autism In Preschool And Kindergarten Programs Within Inclusive Classrooms In Saudi Arabia, Budur Alsalamah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant increase in the number of students with autism being integrated into mainstream classrooms. This is thanks to laws and regulations enacted to provide appropriate education for students with special needs, particularly those with autism, in less restrictive environments. This is a positive step towards providing equal educational opportunities for students with special needs. However, teachers' views on integrating children with autism into mainstream education remain varied. Studies have shown that teachers with positive attitudes towards inclusion are more likely to provide inclusive education in the classroom (Dev & Hayes, 2015). This …

Project Create: State-Wide Partnership For Producing Highly Qualified Special Education Teachers, Joe P. Sutton, Holly A. Pae, Shirley C. Bausmith, Dava M. O'Connor, Susan D. Rurant

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The highly qualified teacher mandate introduced under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 exacerbated the already well-documented shortage of special educators nationwide. With almost 40% of its special education teachers holding emergency/provisional licenses at the time, South Carolina faced a great challenge in meeting new accreditation requirements. This article examines how Project CREATE (Centers for the Re-education and Advancement of Teachers in special Education), a personnel preparation initiative funded by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), refortified the State’s special education teacher force. Project success attributed chiefly to collaboration among SCDE, local education agencies, and institutions of …

Professional Development And American History Textbooks: A Case Study From Teachers' Perspective, Farzana Sultana, Robert Petrulis

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study investigates the influence of teachers' involvement in a grant-funded American history professional development process in their use of American history textbooks and other resources in their classrooms at primary and secondary school level. As a part of classroom observations in one school district, participant teachers were observed regarding the conduct of their history classes. Focus group interviews were conducted to collect in-depth qualitative data on their views regarding the usefulness of a range of teaching resources. The results suggest that participation in professional development classes had changed the types of resources the teachers used and the ways in …

Early Childhood Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions Of Scientists At Work, Tenisha L. Powell, Susan Green

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Early childhood teachers play a vital role in creating young children’s perceptions about science and scientists. Stereotypical perceptions of scientists and science may be detrimental to young children because these beliefs limit the possibility that science is accessible to all. To assist children in broadening their thinking about science, teachers must first gain knowledge about their own beliefs and perceptions. Several researchers have found that "teachers tend to teach in the same ways in which they were taught when they were students" (Finson, Thomas & Pedersen, 2006). In this study, 33 early childhood pre-service teachers were asked to "draw a …

How To Use Second Life® As A Teaching Strategy For Sexual Health Education, Fredanna A.D. M'Cormack, David P. Aguilar, John F. Yannessa, Chandrika F. Johnson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The multi-user virtual environment (MUVE), known as Second Life (SL™) has been used extensively for educational purposes. Yet less studied are applications of this environment to health education topics. Equally lacking are clear instructions to guide the educator in both establishing this useful learning environment, and an application of the environment to educational topics that can be difficult to discuss face to face. The objectives for this manuscript include the development of an understanding of the technical parameters necessary to use Second Life, and methods to apply sexual health education content within the Second Life virtual world. The target audience …

Foreign Language-Immersion Education In South Carolina: Prospects, Kara D. Brown, Xiaohui Wu, Sarahi Paz

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This article examines the development of foreign language immersion education in South Carolina schools, highlights some of the educational challenges involved in foreign language immersion, and concludes with prospects for foreign-language immersion policy and practice in the state.

Integrating Sustainability Into A Foundation Course In K-12 Teacher Education, Lorraine Dejong

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The purpose of this article is to describe how a required foundation course in Human Development, taken by all students seeking K-12 teacher certification, integrated issues related to sustainability throughout the entire course. The article describes objectives, content topics, readings, assignments, and class activities that were added to the course to provide teacher candidates with ongoing opportunities to see connections between content related to human growth and development, teaching and sustainability. The adaptations reflect a basic belief that in order for future teachers to develop deep understanding and valuing for a sustainable earth, issues related to sustainability must be integrated …

Career Pathways: Accountability For Secondary Students With Learning Disabilities, Gayle Disney

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The career pathways mandate in South Carolina schools is especially important for students with specific learning disabilities (SLD or LD). The majority of students with LD need extra support throughout the postsecondary planning process, a point that is often inadvertently overlooked by their teachers and support personnel. This paper will elaborate on the career preparation needs of high school students with LD; outline similarities in federal and state mandates regarding career awareness and preparation for students in South Carolina; and discuss the importance of collaboration in teacher education programs and in schools to prepare students with learning disabilities for transition …

Fertilizing Critical Thinkers With Questioning, Reflection, And Metacognition, Janis Mcwayne, Tracy E. Meetze, Shirley Carr Bausmith, Daljit Kaur

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

At a southeastern liberal arts university, a qualitative research course was offered to graduate students who taught in a rural impoverished public school setting. The intent of the course was to teach them how to use qualitative methods to improve teaching and assessment of their students. There is a learning curve associated with fully implementing qualitative methods. Within a year after course completion, we interviewed the teachers individually and then conducted a focus group with all participants to learn how they were implementing and evaluating their qualitative skills. The findings revealed they have used qualitative methods to assist their students …

A Study Of Leadership Attributes Needed By Technical College Presidents, Kevin M. Mckenzie, William D. Paige

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study examined the leadership attributes needed by presidents in South Carolina’s Technical College System, or those desiring to hold such a position in the future. The participants consisted of 16 presidents and 80 subordinates that were selected by the presidents and data collected by survey instrumentation. Based upon the 37 attributes as defined by Moss et al (1994) in the Leadership Attribute Inventory, each participant was requested to identify and rank attributes needed for future leadership in their institution. The study indicates the findings of the surveys and provides the leadership attributes of college presidents that are common between …

Literacy Coaches' Perceptions Of Principal's Literacy Leadership, Michael Lofton, Edward P. Cox

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The purpose of this study was to investigate the instructional leadership of the principal on literacy initiatives as it relates to student achievement. It examined literacy coaches’ perceptions of how a principal’s instructional leadership relates to their literacy program. The study examined whether South Carolina principals’ level of communication and management support was related to English language arts scores on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) and the High School Assessment Program (HSAP). Literacy coaches from throughout the state were surveyed regarding their perceptions of their principal’s instructional leadership as it relates to teachers incorporating literacy. The data were collected …

Full Issue: Volume 3, 2010, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

No Kidding About "Kiddie Lit": The Importance Of Supporting Novice And Experienced Teachers In Using Children's Literature To Enhance Literacy, Engage Critical Thinking, And Encourage Equity, Linda Karges-Bone

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The importance of preparing teacher candidates to use children's literature as a tool for encouraging literacy and providing equity in their future classrooms is a common thread in Teacher Preparation programs. However, the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of candidates in today's programs may be at odds with what university faculty and the demands of the classroom require. Candidates' own literacy and appreciation of children's literature demonstrates troubling inconsistencies that could impact their own and their future students' performances. This article examines the current situation and offers strategies for engaging candidates and classroom teachers in the pursuit of children's literature to …

I Needed A Seventh Grader To Teach Me That: Science And Engineering Graduate Students' Experience In A Middle School Classroom, Michelle Maher, Stephen Thompson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Experiences of graduate level scientists immersed in middle school science classrooms over a year served as a unique lens through which to view students, teachers, and teaching processes defining these classrooms. In depth interviews with scientists revealed they were struck by the range of student diversity and the resulting need for teachers to adapt quickly to suit a situation. Scientists further realized that their experience in this fluid, unpredictable learning environment, while more challenging than expected, brought unanticipated benefits including increased skills in time management, communication, leadership, instruction, and increased confidence. Scientists developed a new appreciation for the work and …

Preparing Students To Teach In The "Real" Diverse Worlds, Nur Tanyel, Laura Hooks, Lori Tanner, Kela Goodman

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This article presents a unique Early Childhood Program at the University of South Carolina Upstate in partnership with Dunbar Child Development and Family Learning Center. An integrated course work and field experiences created for the preservice teachers to understand and comfortably work with diverse students. The preservice teachers are expected to take six co-requisite classes and complete clinical experiences simultaneously. Furthermore, the preservice teachers will complete the required assignments focused on developing sensitivity to diversity in the classroom.

Clicking From College To K-12 Schools: Engaging Preservice Teachers With Technology, David Marlow, Pamela Wash, Jeannie Chapman, Timothy Dale

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This article details the classroom use of personal response systems in four different disciplines. It highlights the versatility of these systems, the effect on student learning and how their use in college classrooms may influence preservice teachers in their future classrooms.

Assessing The Whole Child—Beyond The Borders Of Testing, Dolores Stegelin, Paula Schubert

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The issue of assessment continues to be significant; this article focuses on the evolving definition of assessment, risks associated with assessing younger learners, and strategies for assessing the whole child. The focus of the article is the younger learner and the strategies described are presented as a helpful tool to teacher educators of pre-service students. Assessment strategies presented here reflect best practices in the U.S., other countries, and educational settings that value developmental and cultural differences.

Investigation Of Screening Instruments In K-5 Programs, Mary Steppling, Mihaela Sabo Sweeney

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study compared two speech and language screening instruments (The SpeechEase and the South Carolina Curriculum Screener) to determine which screening protocol was more accurate in identifying preschoolers at risk for academic delays in elementary school. Ninety-six children were administered both of the screenings and received either a Pass or Fail score. The screening results were compared with the students' academic performance as recorded on subsequent report cards. Statistics were performed to evaluate correlations between the students' screening results and their academic performance. Statistical measures showed that both screening instruments have moderate ability to predict academic outcomes in kindergarten children. …

Perceptions Of Middle School Principals' Leader Behavior, Jennifer C. Etheridge, Edward P. Cox

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study utilized Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) (2003) to measure perceptions of leadership behavior of South Carolina public middle school principals. Three data sets were analyzed: 1) self perceptions of principals' leadership behavior, 2) teachers' perceptions of their principals' leadership behavior, and 3) the congruence of principals' and teachers' perceptions of principals' leadership behavior. The thirty LPI statements were divided among five behavioral areas: 1) Model the Way, 2) Inspire a Shared Vision, 3) Challenge the Process, 4) Enable Others to Act, and 5) Encourage the Heart. Principals rated their leadership behaviors slightly more positively than their …

Adding Citizenship Preparation To A Classroom Organization Plan, Rebecca Stevens

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

There are two areas of content in schools, academic and social. The academic content is driven by standards, the social content by public education's mission to prepare young people for citizenship. A dilemma for teachers is how to teach all that needs to be covered in class. "How can education for citizenship and democracy be added to an already overburdened school curriculum?" Education for democracy includes the acquisition of a body of knowledge, intellectual and participatory skills (National Assessment Governing Board, n.d.) and civic dispositions (Carnegie Corporation of New York & CIRCLE, 2003). This paper describes why and how this …